Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Proverbs 30:29-31 Security even for kings

29 “There are three things that are stately in their stride,four that move with stately bearing:30 a lion, mighty among beasts,who retreats before nothing;31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat,and a king secure against revolt.

Another translation says it this way, "a king against whom there is no
rising up." Many kings have been powerful and majestic in the
history of this earth. Many have maintained their kingdoms by might and fury,
others by wisdom and justice. Let's study this last portion of verse 31 and see
if there are some nuggets here for us . . .
First, there is a key here if we look at each of the animals we studied --
they were creatures who "went solo" and didn't really depend on
others for their traits. The lion is fearless, the rooster or war-horse didn't
need other cocks or horses, and the he-goat doesn't consult the other goats
before he does anything. (Grin)
The king, however, is established by having good people around him, whether we
are talking about a loyal army or wise counselors. Solomon and his father David were great kings in their own right. They understood the power of a king, and they wrote about it. He was to be feared as the lion is feared in the jungle, and he was to suppress all evil in his realm. Agur says here that we are to admire his invincibility.
Anyone besides me admit to knowing what "Cliff notes" are? I guess they are obsolete now, since you can find most anything on the internet! We used to refer to these to get a much-condensed plot for a novel we needed to read in college . . .well, this chapter in Proverbs is almost a Cliff notes for a king -- it tells how the king can be established, and secure against revolt.
Check it out:
First, a king becomes stately by humility -- verses 1-4, and 32-33.
Next, he becomes established by listening to God's tested word -- verses 5-6.
He should renounce lying, and not focus on gathering wealth -- verses 7-9.
He should honor his parents -- verses 11-14.
He should refuse folly, and remain honorable --- verses 20-23.
Lastly, the king should not be puffed up, but consider himself small, and strive for the wisdom found in many natural things -- verses 24-28.
If the king will do all of these things, he will be secure, established, good and wise.

Now, we know that Christ, our Savior, is the King of Kings, and fulfills all of these traits perfectly. But Christians should also seek to fulfill them. It is not enough for us to be righteous . . . we should also be stately and comely in going -- adding grace and attractiveness to everything that we do. The manner and spirit in which we do our duties adds to their beauty.

Are we bold and fearless like the lion in doing our Christian duties, regardless of persecution? Are we quick to keep the commandments of God, like the greyhound or war-horse? Are we leaders in our friendships and relationships, pointing others to the protection of God, like the he-goat guiding his flock? Are we unmovable, like a great king, in defending our faith and our Lord?

I believe that I need to study this chapter even more, and dedicate myself to the concepts we've studied here!

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